Reno, Nev. April 4, 2018 - Washoe County health officials report a confirmed case of measles. The individual is a student at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and does not pose an ongoing risk to the public; however, the individual was at several locations in Washoe County during an infectious period and could have exposed others to the measles virus. The Health District is attempting to notify anyone who may have been exposed while the patient was infectious to prevent further spread of measles.

“Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. A small number of cases are capable of quickly producing epidemics, that’s why it is important for people to take appropriate precautions to protect the health and safety of the community.” ” says Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick. “Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and rash. Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age.”

Persons who were at the locations listed below during the times listed may have been exposed to the measles virus and should call the Washoe County Health District at 775-328-2447 to determine their risk for measles. Preventative treatment may be recommended for those who were exposed and are unvaccinated and who may be at high risk, such as pregnant women, infants younger than 12 months, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

Persons who were at the locations listed above during the times listed may have been exposed to the measles virus and should call the Washoe County Health District at 775-328-2447 to determine their risk for measles. Preventative treatment may be recommended for those who were exposed and are unvaccinated and who may be at high risk, such as pregnant women, infants younger than 12 months, and people with severely compromised immune systems. Persons who were present at any of the locations listed above during the exposure times should also call their health care provider if they experience any symptoms of measles. Contact your doctor’s office or the emergency room and tell them that you may have been exposed to measles. Please call the doctor’s office before physically going to the office, urgent care, or emergency room. You may be asked to put on a mask or take other protective measures to prevent transmission of the virus to others. The last date when a person would develop symptoms from this exposure is April 23rd.

The Health Department is implementing its response plan to prevent further spread of the disease. There has not been a confirmed case of measles in Washoe County since 1999.

About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious, serious respiratory disease. Symptoms can include high fever, runny nose, watery red eyes, and cough, followed by a blotchy rash that appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles is particularly dangerous for infants and children less than 5 years of age, people over 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection.

Measles virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus has a short survival time (less than 2 hours) in the air or on objects and surfaces. People sick with measles are contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears.

People who are vaccinated or have had measles before are extremely unlikely to catch measles, even if they had contact with a contagious person. However, those who were not previously vaccinated are at high risk if exposed. People born before 1957 are considered immune as they likely had measles as children and developed immunity from the disease. Adults and children born after 1957 should review their vaccination records to ensure they have received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or talk to their regular healthcare provider for questions about immunization status. People can also check their Nevada immunization records on line at https://izrecord.nv.gov/. Call (775) 684-5954.

Vaccine Recommendations

Measles can be prevented with measles-containing vaccine, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. One dose of MMR vaccine is approximately 93% effective at preventing measles; two doses are approximately 97% effective.

Children

MMR vaccine is a routinely recommended childhood immunization starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age or at least 28 days following the first dose.

Students at post-high school educational institutions

Students at post-high school educational institutions without evidence of measles immunity need two doses of MMR vaccine, with the second dose administered no earlier than 28 days after the first dose.

Adults

People who are born during or after 1957 who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.

International travelers

People 6 months of age or older who will be traveling internationally should make sure they are protected against measles.

Before travelling internationally,

Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine

Children 12 months of age or older should have documentation of two doses of MMR vaccine (the first dose of MMR vaccine should be administered at age 12 months or older; the second dose no earlier than 28 days after the first dose)

Teenagers and adults born during or after 1957 without evidence of immunity against measles should have documentation of two doses of MMR vaccine, with the second dose administered no earlier than 28 days after the first dose.

Healthcare personnel

Healthcare personnel should have documented evidence of immunity against measles.

For more information on measles, visit www.washoecounty.us/health or www.cdc.gov/measles. To obtain a measles vaccination information, call your health care provider, the Washoe County Health District (775) 328-3724 or Immunize Nevada at (775) 624-7117.